Monday, January 26, 2009

In September of 2008, I switched from a Windows computer to a Fancy-Amazing-Beautiful 24" iMac computer...and in doing so, I found a super cool thing included with the computer, called Photobooth. This neat little software that utilizes the built-in cam and microphone was actually the deal breaker in decided whether to get the iMac or a Mac Tower. My kids are obsessed with Photobooth.

Anyway... I had the iMac in the living room for a short time while I transitioned things from my PC to the new system. I would let my kids play around with it from time to time (while supervised). Apparently, they also got onto the computer when I wasn't looking. Just a little bit ago, I just happened to accidentally stumble upon this file and I am still laughing over it. This is GOLD to me. It completely shows them as they truly are more than 95% of the time. I can't wait to show this to them when they are all grown. Just had to share my little monsters with you.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

I've heard about Ugly Sweater Parties before, but I had yet to be invited to one before today. To do it properly, me and the crew hit up the Goodwill for some sweat apparel. I must say, it was harder than I thought it would be to find some really ugly sweaters. We got the best that store offered and then headed off to Westport.

This is where the Ugly Sweater Party was held....and it was rockin' with some of the coolest-ugliest sweaters in the Kansas City area. We were actually ashamed of our sweaters because they couldn't hold a candle to everyone else's.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Remember me telling you about my sister, Amanda's, fabulous opportunity to be one of the stylists for the Sagii International Fashion event that is touring the US. Well...she called me a few days ago and asked what I was doing Friday. ...so last night I was one of the event photographers and I was assigned to photograph the hunky Maurice Valentino, from the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency. WHOA! That man is beautiful! I brought Matt (aka: Hubby) with me, so I didn't want to stare too hard. haha!I don't know...I think my hubby's pretty beautiful too. :)Check out that super tough guy with Maurice, 2nd row on the right. That was his bodyguard for the evening. Those guys were very entertaining. Below that pic is one with me, Maurice, and my sister. By the way, she did most of the hair styles on the models for the event. Again, I must mention how amazingly talented she is. I'm so proud of her.

Check out the model on the right. I ate a cookie, then took this picture. It made me want to immediately go do some sit-ups. HAHA! Oh, did I forget to mention that Sagii International is a futuristic lingerie apperal line. Seriously...being around all these models in next to nothing got me thinking about my gym schedule for the next week. :)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

I've been really really busy lately with all the business aspects of my job that I've been needing to get out of the house and shoot for fun. And I got my new fab camera, what a perfect excuse to go test it out! I met up with Sarah Rimel at City Market where we had lunch at Bolings and had fun exploring the area with our cameras.

On Friday, I went to my local camera store...where I've been on the waiting list for the new Canon 5D MarkII camera since Early November....and I pop in to just politely ask for the millionth time if they've gotten the camera in yet. And of course it was a big-fat NO. errrr! This camera is in such high demand right now that it compares to how it was when the Wii came out and the iPhone. In fact, the camera store only gets two camera bodies in per shipment and they've only had one shipment since the camera was released. I've been checking about 3-4 online stores every other day for the past month to keep up on any updates. So, HOW SHOCKED was I to get onto www.Bestbuy.com and find that they had a sexy little 5D MarkII camera just sitting on a shelf at the Oak Park location. Uh, yea...you best believe I put the petal to the metal and picked one up. :) Without further ado...my new family member...First name: CanonMiddle Name: 5DLast Name: MarkII

If you are reading this and know about this camera already, you know what these next pictures are. yeah.....that's right. TOTAL NIGHT SHOTS...without a tripod. Oh, baby! I actually haven't read my manual all the way yet, so I didn't even expand the ISO all the way...but it' still way more capable than my 30D. In fact, these night shots were spontaneous and done on just auto. I took the first picture without any expectations that it would turn out.Here's the stats: Midnight (2 nights ago), ISO 3200, f/2.8, 1/5, Lens: 16-35mmL

Ok...this was ended up being a longer exposure, so it was blurry, but I still think it kicks major camera @ss!

This one was from today. I was driving home from running errands and snapped a quick picture of the cool sky through my tinted car window.

As many of you know, my sister, Amanda, is AMAZINGLY talented with hair & style. She recently had the opportunity to show off her talent off during a Sagii International photoshoot. I am anxious to see the pictures of the model she worked on ("Goddess of Saturn"). Sagii International, if you don't already know about it, is an upcoming shining star in the high-fashion world. I believe they are based out on the West Coast, but they are doing a tour with their fashion show. In fact, Amanda will be one of the stylists working on the models this Friday night (the 16th), at Harrah's Voodoo lounge at 8pm. I think it would definitely be something new and exciting for any of you fellow Kansas-Citians to check out. Oh, but anyway...Amanda was nervous when they first inquired about her services, so we had ourselves a girls-night with hair, make-up, and our own little photoshoot to help give her a beginning portfolio. Pretty HOT, if you ask me!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Major Congratulations to Nicole and Steve! Nicole gave birth to David Yong-Sheng Wall on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at 8:49pm. He was all of 7lbs and 19.5in....and SOOOOO Adorable from head to toe! And such a good baby! He was good for the camera, even despite having his "little-boy" surgery prior. :)

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Ok...sadly to say, every New Years rolls around and we never have any plans. We are slightly uncool like that. This year was no different, except that we got some calls from other lonesome friends who also didn't have any New Year's plans. So what to do in a situation like this? We made an open invite at last minute for all stragglers to come over...and then much on chips and hope for some guests. haha

Thankfully, we were cool enough...we had some awesome friends and characters show up...making our New Year's unforgettable. This first one big pic is Kyle, a fellow photographer and videographer...I think he took this one himself. I think he should make an enlargement from it, don't you agree?

These next several pics are ones that were emailed to me by Kyle, all from his camera. I love my pic of doing the Robot dance (my favorite)!

Don't you love my fancy New Year's shoes? They were my present from my buddy Sarah. I've been wanting them for years. BTW, pink bunny slippers, the kind you stick your whole foot into, are rare and hard to find.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Christmas just doesn't end for us. Yes. That means...MORE PRESENTS, MORE FOOD, MORE FUN!!!! WAHOOO!!! Unfortunately, this part 3 meant driving 400 miles to Arkansas. Well worth it though. I let Matt drive while I snoozed...so I suppose I deserved the flattering pic he took of me.

As I've mentioned before...My mother-in-law's house is seriously my personally gallery. She has pictures GALORE there.

Now, it wouldn't be Christmas without a little creative Photoshop touch. Matt got his siblings each a gift card to Wal-Mart (that I waited in line on Christmas EVE for half an hour to buy...and that's all I was there for). These are not just any old gift cards. They are photo gift cards....with a little twist. We took some pictures off of Google Images and super-imposed their faces into them. So Lacey is a an elderly man with a walker, Markie is Hulk-Hogan, and Aaron is Richard Simons. I think those were worth the half hour wait in line.

And then it was time to go. Lots of hugs. After we left them Arkansas folk, we stopped by the cliffs for a quick look. Matt about had a heart-attack trying to keep our kids away from the edge.